Easy Like Sunday Morning: 9/23

This article is meant to be a quick recap of the news from the last week, thoughts going into each week’s games, notes on injuries, guys to put on your radar, etc. It’ll be a quick article every week because we’re all busy Sunday mornings.

News and Notes

The Buffalo Bills are bad. They legitimately have the least talented roster in the league. They may not win a game all year. In case you missed it, former Colt Vontae Davis, who had signed a one-year deal in Buffalo, retired at halftime of their Week 2 loss to the Chargers. Almost everyone dreams of storming out of their place of work. Live vicariously through Davis.

Move over Von Miller and Khalil Mack. There’s a new best pass-rusher in the league, Yannick Ngakoue. Ignoring for a moment his 1 solo on the season, Ngakoue told Bleacher Report’s Tyler Dunne, “Not enough people know that No. 91 for the Jaguars is the top edge-rusher in this league. I am the best. I am the best pass-rusher in this league. I’m No. 1 at what I do. Definitely.” [https://jaguarswire.usatoday.com/2018/09/14/yannick-ngakoue-i-am-the-best-pass-rusher-in-this-league/] Eat your heart out Jalen Ramsey. Ngakoue is due for a blowup game any week now, but in points per swagger leagues, he’s already DE1. This reminds me of the supreme confidence of Atlanta nickel CB Brian Poole. When asked who the three best Falcons were at Ping Pong, his response was, “Poole, Poole, and Poole. The top three spots. I’m taking them.” [https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2017/2/5/14446272/atlanta-falcons-ping-pong-locker-room-julio-jones] On a completely unrelated note, I am the greatest #IDP writer on the interwebs. There is nobody better. I am the GOAT. [Editor’s note: He’s not.]

Evan Silva threw some love at 3rd Round sophomore Larry Ogunjobi before Thursday night’s game where Ogunjobi led the Browns in tackles. Ogunjobi has been a stud and has potentially become the top DT option in dynasty.

Stat of the Week

176 – That’s the pace Fred Warner is on for tackles for the season. Last season, Blake Martinez, Preston Brown, and Joe Schobert led the league with 144 tackles apiece. In 2016, Bobby Wagner led the league with 167 tackles. In 2015, it was Navorro Bowman with 154 tackles. Jerod Mayo hit 175 tackles in 2010. Amazingly, Warner’s tackle pace is second among rookies. Darius Leonard is on pace for 216 tackles on the season. The pace will slow, but enjoy it while you can.

On the Radar

Marqui Christian – Mark Barron is likely to miss Week 3. Christian plays ILB next to Cory Littleton on passing downs. This role led to an 86% snap rate in Week 2. With an LA vs. LA matchup that could become a bit of a shootout set for Week 3, Christian could have sneaky #IDP value. That value is likely lost when Barron returns, but a Safety playing LB snaps has to be mentioned. It’s #IDP law.

Rashaan Gaulden – The Panthers placed Da’Norris Searcy on IR with a concussion. This opens up a spot for 3rd Round rookie Gaulden to start opposite vet Mike Adams. Gaulden played 27 snaps last week replacing Searcy and ended with 3 total tackles. Gaulden likely won’t be an S1 but should produce, and all it takes to add value to your roster is picking a guy up off the waiver wire, letting him produce, and trading him away to a needy team after an injury or due to bye week issues.

Good luck in Week 3. Hopefully, all of you win your games, unless you’re playing me. Watch for my Snap Count articles midweek, and we’ll see you next Sunday. Follow me on Twitter at @ben_glaser